Preserving archaeology on Titirangi

Councilors and senior management staff from Council took an opportunity to take a walkover tour through significant historic sites over Titirangi Reserve (Kaiti Hill).

The tour was taken by archaeologist Lynda Walter and iwi representative Nick Tupara. They presented to Councilors and staff the historic, geological and cultural significance of Titirangi Reserve.

Council and Ngati Oneone, partnering with Heritage New Zealand will aim to preserve significant archaeological sites on Titirangi Reserve.

"Titirangi is a heritage reserve in the district plan with waahi tapu overlay. Any work we do on Titirangi requires an archaeological authority," said De-Arne Sutherland, Council's bioregions project manager, in an update to the Community Development Committee.

Food pits, midden, terraces and remains of people from early Maori settlement are known at various locations on the hill.

Archaeological authority is required for groundwork such as bunds that will be built at the base of the hill to prevent slips, maintenance of tracks, infrastructure and signage.

Since the large-scale harvesting and restoration project began last year, Council and Ngati Oneone have been working with Ms Walter to identify sites uncovered during the work.

Pine trees were removed from the pa site on the top ridge of the hill overlooking Kaiti beach.

"The remnants of a large food pit at the pa site is still visible which is really remarkable that pre-European sites like this are preserved and we can still see them."

"We'd like to trial something similar for community and school groups with this year's community day happening in July.

"We'd like to show people some of the significant sites, talk about what they look like, how they’re preserved and share some of the stories attached to them.

"Titirangi forms an iconic part of Gisborne's landscape, and it's important to many people in our community.

"Using opportunities like community planting, future art and heritage interpretations on the hill, we hope will strengthen the relationship people have with Titirangi."

A $1.3m project to restore the reserve in co-management with tangata whenua, Ngati Oneone will include links to the Tairawhiti Navigations project to create a heritage trail.

A plan for future management of Titirangi is being developed for consultation in May.

"The management plan will outline methods for restoring native plants and birds, how we can protect archaeology and celebrate historically and culturally significant sites. It will also look out how we can improve current facilities, activities and tracks."

This year’s Community Day will be advertised in June on council's website and Facebook page.

ENDS

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